Vibration absorption unit



Aug. 12, 1947. c. ROBINSON Q 6 7 VIBRATION ABSORPTION UNIT Filed Dec. 15, 1945 INVENTOR Q04 I A OJ/NJO/V- ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIBRATION ABSORPTION UNIT Cecil S. Robinson, New York, N. Y. Application December 15, 1945, Serial No. 635,302

5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to mechanical vibration absorption units of self-contained construction, particularly the special types intended to carry the absorption down to practically invisible vibrations. These precision types of absorption mounts have generally involved a high degree of engineering refinement in order to absorb both low and high frequency oscillation and to avoid resonance at critical frequencies; and when successful, such installations have commanded a high price because of the engineering difliculties involved in the problem.

The principal object of the present invention is to produce an article of manufacture which can be applied as a self-contained unit to a wide variety of uses; and which can be shipped without damage and installed without adjustment by persons unfamiliar with the engineering refinements involved in its operation. From a scientiflc side it is characterized by a three-way freedom of movement-whereas the conventional sheer type rubber unit is resilient in only one direction. The device also has a built-in damping mechanism to control low frequencyoscillations and minimize resonance at-critical frequencies. It is further provided with built-in three way snubbers and limit stops so that the customer has nothing additional to install, and so that all vibration paths are intercepted.

Other objects of the invention are to avoid drift or set of the resilient elements, make the device lnvulnerable to heat, cold and humidity, and protect it against deterioration and damage. Accordingly there is used a combination of ma-.- terials intended to obtain the permanence and stability of metal without losing the absorptive and protective qualities of rubber. A further object is to avoid the necessi y for bonding rubber to metal, so that the units may be made of various metals, not only those capable of bonding. Additional detail objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a unit partly broken away to show the interior.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts thruout the various views.

As shown in the drawings, the device consists of a casing I having a base 2 which is secured to the casing I by any suitable means such as rivets, bolts or welding. Relatively small openings 2' may be provided between the base 2 and the casing I to allow airflow and drainage if necessary, but the casing and base substantially enclose the working parts. The upper portion of the casing I has an opening surrounded by a resilient ring or grommet 3, whose contour in cross-section is best shown in Fig. 2, being characterised by a lower bead 4, an upper bead 5, and an inwardly projecting cushion 6, so that it can absorb shocks from all directions-up, down, and sideways. This grommet or ring 3 may be made of rubber or any similar resilient material not having hard or metallic properties, as it is important that vibrations shall not be transmitted from the hard casing I.

Extending thru the opening in the grommet 3 is a stud] on which may be mounted the object to be protected from vibration. The stud 1 is tapped for the usual machine screws used in mounting, and the stud is somewhat smaller in diameter than the opening in the grommet so that there is normally some clearance between them. If the object to be mounted is fairly large,

such as a radio or seat, several of the cushion units may be used; while if the mounted apparatus is small or light, one or two of the mounting units may suffice. The unit mounts are arranged to absorb vibrations from all directions but principally vertically, or in general along the axis of the stud 1 which may be at various angles if desired. The vertical or axial vibrations are absorbed principally by the spring and damping attachment now to be described.

At a point below the grommet 3'the stud I carries a flange II] which rests on the coil spring II. The other end of the coil spring II stands on the base 2. Projections I2 and I2 on the stud I and base 2 respectively serve to center the spring II and give it lateral stability. The spring II is preferably made of hard, non-corrosive metal such as steel, stainless-steel, or beryllium copper, for example. Such a spring overcomes the tendency to drift and permanent set sometimes found in rubber or similar materials, which are also more affected by unfavorable climatic conditions.

All elastic bodies including metal springs tend to have natural periods of vibration to which they will respond excessively-often building up amplitudes in excess of the vibrations received. They will also respond to harmonics of that natural vibration period. Another problem of vibration absorption devices is lateral as well as vertical stability under unusual shocks and impacts. The direction of the usual vibrations is generally known and the device can be set ac cordingly; but some provision must be made for unusual impacts from any direction, which though momentary, may have serious consestabilizer dampener I consisting of a spider having several light spring. arms t5 bent to give considerable rigidity and each tipped with a' resilient pad or cushion l8 engaging the tapered inner sides of the casing I. One pad I8 is shown in cross-section and the other in perspective for illustration. It has been found that this construction not only centers the stud I but also most effectively kills low frequency oscillation and minimizes resonance at critical frequencies. The number of arms l5 may vary in different installations, but three or four are generally sufflcient. The pads l6, operating partly by friction and partly in elastic shear, have practically no resonance period; or such resonance period that they may have is of such an entirely difl'erent order from that of the spring II that the pads l6 exert a very strong dampening eifect on any harmonic build-ups. v a

The resilience of the grommet heads 4, 5 and 6 is also of an entirely different order from that of the maincushion ll so as,toneutralize resonance in that system. This combination of a three-way resilient grommet with a more powerful main spring or cushion makes an adaptable system having both dampening and shock absorbing properties which may be used either with or without the stabilizer l5.

In normal operation the load or object to be stabilized is carried on the stud I, compressing the spring I l so that the flange l0 floats at some distance below the bead lthe system thus absorbing the usual vibrations to which it is subjected, preferably with theaid of ,the stabilizer i5. If harmonic-effects tend to build up excessive vibration at a certain period, the stabilizer l5 is thrown into frictional as wellas resilient shear the greater the' impact the more of its surface willcome into action.v This provides a variable resistance which does .not increase on a linear j vibrations as well as longitudinal vibrations;

though it is generally mounted so that the principal vibrations occur in line with the studl. Lateral vibrations are absorbed' bythe spring ll swaying or bending sideways. If the lateral vibrations attain sumcient amplitude, the inner bead ii of the grommet 1 3 then'comes into play with a progressive tapered dampening action adapted to absorb considerable vibration, and in coniunction with the main cushion ll tends to keep vibration and resonance under control.

-While I have in the foregoing described certain specific forms by way of example, it will be understood that they are merely for purposes of illustration to make clear the principles of the invention, which is not limited to the particular form shown, but is susceptible to various modi flcations and adaptations in difl'erent installations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as stated in the following claims.

1. In a vibration absorption mount, the combination of a casing having an opening, a resilient grommet in said opening adapted to receive impacts from above, below and sideways, a mounting stud extending thru said opening but normally not touching the grommet except under excessive shock or vibration, a flange on said stud, and a main resilient member supporting said flange in said casing, said resilient member.

' being so proportioned that the flange will float out of contact with said grommet under normal operating conditions so asto absorb vibrations reaching the casing, said grommet and flange impinging in case of excessive axial shock or vibration, and said stud and grommet impinging .40 loosely mounted within said opening, a resilient.

member supporting said stud to absorb vibration,

and resilientpads secured to said stud forfrictional engagement with theinterior of the easing in the .event ofsubstantial vibration, said pads being sufficiently resilient toprovide for absorption ofv minute vibrations by deformation in shear without sliding.

v 4. In a'vibration absorption mount, the cornbination of a casing, a main vibration absorption spring, means on said casing for restraining the base of said spring from lateral displacement. a load mounting stud carried by said spring, and pads on said. stud friction'ally engaging the interior of the casing.

' bination of a casing, a main vibration absorption spring, means on said casing for restraining the base of said spring from lateral displacement, a load mounting stud carried by said 0 spring, aspider on said stud for centering its upper portion, pads on said spiderin. contact with the interior of the casing, said .pads being capable of motion relative to the casing.

CECIL s. ROBINSON.

5. In a vibration absorption mount, the com- 

